Korean War veterans reminisce over unforgettable meal

Korean War Vets ReuniteNavy veteran Duane Williams, of Bernhards Bay, (sitting at left in the video) and Andy Smith, of Camillus, a Marine Corps veteran, last saw one another while serving in the Korean War. A mutual friend, Tony Perolla, of Solvay, helped them reconnect. All three had attended vocational high school together. Video by Lauren Long / The Post-Standard

Cicero, NY -- Andy Smith will never forget the meal he had 62 years ago on the USS Helena during the Korean War.

“I had pork chops, beans, a bun and a cup coffee,” he said.

Smith, a Marine, was cold and hungry serving with his unit in North Korea when he spotted a Syracuse high school friend, Duane Williams. Williams, who was serving with the Navy, instantly recognized Smith. He got permission for Smith to come aboard his ship to get out of the subzero temperatures and have a hot meal.

“That meal was like caviar to me,” Smith said. “I’ll never forget it, and I owe it all to him.”
Smith said he’s been looking for Williams for six decades.

The two were reunited Tuesday afternoon at a restaurant in Cicero. Smith, 84, lives in Camillus, and Williams, 86, is from the Onondaga Nation, but spent nearly 50 years in Texas. He now lives in Bernhards Bay.

The two played football together in 1946 at the Vocational Technical High School in Syracuse. They had a mutual friend in high school, Tony Perolla. Perolla and Smith have stayed in touch but Williams lost touch with both men when he moved to Texas.

Williams and Perolla recently reconnected, and Perolla arranged for the three men to reconnect over a meal.

“I thought of you for years,” Smith told Williams as they met in the parking lot of Kyoto Royal Seafood Buffet. The two men hugged and immediately started reminiscing.

“I remember you were so cold,” Williams said. “You were shaking drinking the cup of coffee.”

The men said it was about 30 degrees below zero that December day in 1950 in Korea.

“I was hungry and cold,” Smith said. “All I’ve ever thought about over the years was that pork chop, the beans, the coffee and what happened to Duane?”

The men said they hope to stay in touch and eat many more meals together.